Europe is looking to significantly ramp up Ukraine’s defense industry and turn the country into a “steel porcupine,” The Economist magazine reports.
“The best way to guarantee Ukraine’s security, its supporters say, is to ensure it is armed to the teeth, ceasefire or no,” the London-based publication says.
For now, military support remains the most reliable way to help Kyiv, as Europe has yet to build up credible ground deterrence or secure Ukraine’s airspace.
To address this, the European Commission that runs the EU’s daily operations unveiled a two-pronged “porcupine strategy” for Ukraine on March 19.
It would first start with Europe purchasing more ammunition and weapons for Ukraine, including crucial air defense missiles.
Then investments would be made in Ukraine’s own defense industry – seen as the most effective long-term support strategy.
“The plan is the brainchild of Kaja Kallas, a former Estonian prime minister who is now the European Union’s top diplomat. She wants to double military aid to Ukraine this year, to 40 billion euros ($44 billion),” the article reads.
Kallas’s earlier proposal failed at the March 20 EU summit. Some critics blamed her for not securing support from EU leaders ahead of time. As a result, the funding was cut back.
“Ms Kallas is determined to revive the plan. If she fails, Europe will have thrown away the fastest, most effective way for Ukraine to defend itself,” the article reads.
Read the full piece here.
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